So what do they teach you on these IAM things?
Discussion
Steady Don... 
I used to be an observer - in fact I taught observers too for a while - and like you, I found that there are all types in the IAM, and it depends what observer you get.
But the idea that it's all about CAUTIOUS and SLOW driving is a common misconception - I knew quite a few members (and a few examiners) who knew exactly what it was all about...
This forum is getting more and more obsessed with speed and anti-speed and there's far FAR more to driving than that... (there's also far FAR more to bad driving and enforcement than that, but that's another story)
I used to be an observer - in fact I taught observers too for a while - and like you, I found that there are all types in the IAM, and it depends what observer you get.
But the idea that it's all about CAUTIOUS and SLOW driving is a common misconception - I knew quite a few members (and a few examiners) who knew exactly what it was all about...
This forum is getting more and more obsessed with speed and anti-speed and there's far FAR more to driving than that... (there's also far FAR more to bad driving and enforcement than that, but that's another story)
DanBoy said:
Thanks!
The best way to discover what the IAM will do with you is to buy a book called ROADCRAFT.
Everything you need to know will be in it.
The IAM exist to help people who wish to drive better to adopt the techniques documented in the Roadcraft book. Specifically you will learn about the System of Car Control - not the only way to drive well - but A way to drive well that can be formalised and taught.
You will learn about scanning and improved observation. This observation will mean:
1) You always know what the speed limit is - even whilst breaking it!
2) You will reduce your chance of being caught by a GATSO to the point where it is virtually impossible.
3) You will never again go into a bend too quickly - or too slowly for that matter - unless it would break the speed limit which you'll know (for certain) and decide at the time whether or not to break it!
You will learn about car control. If you have a powerful rear wheel drive car you will find out how to avoid putting it in the hedge. If you got me as an Observer you'd learn about the different ways to go about this and why and why using "The System" you don't need Heel and Toe - but you'd still know what it is and how to use it should you want to.
You'll learn how to anticipate situations in which accidents occur and how not to be near them when they're happening.
You'll learn how to drive down country lanes as fast as is actually safe. Sure some
wit can drive like a loon down them faster - but they're risking life and limb - you'll be going quickly with no such risk. And yes - you'll learn all about traffic law and how not to break it. And yes - you'll need to drive within the limit on Observed drives and on Test day - which is a useful skill - most people simply don't know what speed they're doing without staring like a twit at the speedo - you will KNOW what 30mph feels like - and 40 mph and 50 mph.
Its well worth it. Do it. Pass. Then critique what was not so good. (Which is some - I'm not blind.)
Do you ever feel like we're 
a bit here?
Maybe we should just bung all our collective knowledge in one thread, or failing that I'll happily provide web hosting for a web page, and we can direct people there.
Because I'm quite frankly getting fed up with this thread topic coming up again and again and having to state the positive aspects of the IAM to people amid a background chatter of pathetic half-brained crap about pipes, slippers, tweed and sticking to speed limits.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 23 January 20:49
a bit here? Maybe we should just bung all our collective knowledge in one thread, or failing that I'll happily provide web hosting for a web page, and we can direct people there.
Because I'm quite frankly getting fed up with this thread topic coming up again and again and having to state the positive aspects of the IAM to people amid a background chatter of pathetic half-brained crap about pipes, slippers, tweed and sticking to speed limits.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 23 January 20:49
Don said:
That Brunstrom is a good egg.........
No they
Ooops...sorry, that was meant in jest....no need to split your Y fronts!
Don't you mean.......
all the good work gets sidelined by inviting Brunny to speak at the IAM dinner.....?
JonRB said:
Do you ever feel like we're
Maybe we should just bung all our collective knowledge in one thread, or failing that I'll happily provide web hosting for a web page, and we can direct people there.
Because I'm quite frankly getting fed up with this thread topic coming up again and again and having to state the positive aspects of the IAM to people amid a background chatter of pathetic half-brained crap about pipes, slippers, tweed and sticking to speed limits.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 23 January 20:49
Well if it makes you feel any better, I aksed because I'm genuinely interested.
DanBoy said:I wasn't having a go at you Dan.
Well if it makes you feel any better, I aksed because I'm genuinely interested.
I would thoroughly recommend the IAM training to anyone. It teaches a lot of good stuff, especially observation, and anything that doesn't fit in with your driving style can be quietly discarded afterwards.
Much has been written, often at great length, about the IAM so I would suggest a quick trawl through the archives for more information.
I went to an introductory IAM meeting last week and liked what I saw. I was the youngest present at 26 but they seemed like a nice bunch of enthousiasts who took pride in what they do.
I start in mid February.
FAO Don / JonRB / tvrgit, when signing up they asked me what car I would be taking for the test, I don't want to invite a serving police officer into my LHD german plated Porsche so was planning on using my company car. Do they need the details of the car a long time before the test because I drive a demonstrator and if I sell it the details will change.
Cheers guys.
>> Edited by markmullen on Sunday 23 January 22:23
I start in mid February.
FAO Don / JonRB / tvrgit, when signing up they asked me what car I would be taking for the test, I don't want to invite a serving police officer into my LHD german plated Porsche so was planning on using my company car. Do they need the details of the car a long time before the test because I drive a demonstrator and if I sell it the details will change.
Cheers guys.
>> Edited by markmullen on Sunday 23 January 22:23
The idea of safely being able to make proper progress down country roads is an appealing one - Far too many people cut across white lines on blind bends and as a result I often seen severed wing mirrors strewn along grassy embankments!
For me, not crossing white lines on narrowish roadsis easy, but the difficulty now lies in not getting too close to the embankment on the passenger side and planting the car in a hedgerow! It's tricky to get the right balance between speed and appropriate use of space on some roads, and that's one of my main concerns with my driving (and other peoples).
One road in particular that I drive down has bricks on the outside, so you get a slight vibration as the wheel makes contact with them, which I thought was a pretty neat idea.
For me, not crossing white lines on narrowish roadsis easy, but the difficulty now lies in not getting too close to the embankment on the passenger side and planting the car in a hedgerow! It's tricky to get the right balance between speed and appropriate use of space on some roads, and that's one of my main concerns with my driving (and other peoples).
One road in particular that I drive down has bricks on the outside, so you get a slight vibration as the wheel makes contact with them, which I thought was a pretty neat idea.
AFAIK you can take the test in anything (within reason) that you like. The only reason they ask you the car's details is so that the examiner will recognise it when he meets you and doesn't go getting into cars with strange men...
the IAM used to write to you with a test appointment, now I think most examiners phone and just arrange a mutually convenient time so you can pass on the car details then, if you have changed the car since you applied for the test.
the IAM used to write to you with a test appointment, now I think most examiners phone and just arrange a mutually convenient time so you can pass on the car details then, if you have changed the car since you applied for the test.
Is it the same stuff they teach for car and bike?
I realise it has to be different in some ways but how much difference between them?
I've been thinking of doing it but not sure wether it would be better on the bike or in the car or if I should do both
I would have thought that if I did the car one then the principles could be carried over and the only main difference would be road positioning.....
Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh
I realise it has to be different in some ways but how much difference between them?
I've been thinking of doing it but not sure wether it would be better on the bike or in the car or if I should do both
I would have thought that if I did the car one then the principles could be carried over and the only main difference would be road positioning.....
Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh
andy4200 said:
Is it the same stuff they teach for car and bike?
I realise it has to be different in some ways but how much difference between them?
I've been thinking of doing it but not sure wether it would be better on the bike or in the car or if I should do both
I would have thought that if I did the car one then the principles could be carried over and the only main difference would be road positioning.....
Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh
You're not far off, with that.
The Bike "System" has an extra "lifesaver" look behind, but otherwise I think it's much the same...
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